From ‘What Italy Brings To The Allies‘, 29 May 1915:
THE more the entrance of Italy into the war is contemplated the more romantic and gratifying it seems. Italy has joined the forces of Freedom with whom her heart has long been beating. It is her right and natural place. Why, then, it may be asked, did she ever join the Triple Alliance, tie herself to the Teutonic cart-tail, and consent in 1912 to re-tie the ropes which had held her in odious bondage? We pointed out in an article called “The Bridge of Peschiera,” published on October 26th, 1912, that Italian statesmen dared not forget the standing menace of Austria-Hungary on her frontier. The menace was much too near to be ignored. It is true in a sense that Italy, instead of joining the Triple Alliance, might have tried to obtain promises of support from France or Britain or both, and, greatly daring, have snapped her fingers at Austria, always her natural enemy; but the world knew not the Triple Entente when Italy was tricked into the Triple Alliance in 1882. Having once entered the latter, the risks she would have run in flouting Germany and Austria were too tremendous and too instant to be accepted. Even when Britain, France, and Russia came together, Italy dared not transfer her allegiance to them—the Teutonic hordes were too close to her. She had to wait for her opportunity. And the blundering of Germany has given her the opportunity, which she has taken without doing violence to her promises to the Triple Alliance or committing a single act which stains her honour. The world of liberal men is reshaped, breathes a different air, and looks forward to a new future, now that Italy stands with those who assert the cause of countries which desire to live their own life and cultivate their own nationality without a hectoring and crushing dictation from Germany. No reflecting man can believe for a moment that Italy has come in because she thinks it worth while to plunge her homes in mourning for the capture of the Trentino and Trieste and other territory. Her motives are far wider and purer. They are the motives of Garibaldi, Mazzini, and Cavour. There is no war-lust in Italy. It is said that every generation wants its war; but Italy has had her fill of war in this generation. She makes great sacrifices to come in now—such sacrifices as only a nation can make which has visions and ideals.
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